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Senate panel advances Trump’s AG nominee after slush fund deal

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination advanced after he agreed to scrap a $1.8 billion fund tied to Trump allies, securing GOP support despite Democratic opposition.

Updated last month2 new reports, including Deutsche Welle, Washington Times.

·2 min read·12 outlets

En resumen

The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Todd Blanche’s nomination to become US attorney general on a party-line vote. The move followed a last-minute deal in which Blanche agreed to cancel a $1.8 billion fund that critics linked to Trump allies.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted along party lines to advance Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general on August 4.7,8,11,12 Blanche secured support from Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis after agreeing to scrap a $1.8 billion fund described by critics as a potential "slush fund" for Trump allies.2,5,10 The fund, labeled an "anti-weaponization" account, was proposed to provide settlements to individuals including January 6 rioters, according to reports.5

Democrats and legal experts criticized the deal as weak, arguing it could be easily reversed by President Trump and did not prevent future slush funds.3,4 Blanche’s nomination now requires a majority vote in the full Senate to be confirmed, where 50 votes are needed.12,13 During a private call with faith leaders, Blanche stated he planned to make the Dobbs abortion decision "permanent" in every state, according to a report.14

The Senate Judiciary Committee’s vote followed weeks of stalled proceedings over concerns about Blanche’s ties to Trump and past legal work.9,10 Blanche has served as acting attorney general since Trump’s second term began, replacing a previous acting holder of the role.5,9 Republican senators reportedly viewed Trump’s push for the fund and other policies as potentially harmful to their political prospects in upcoming elections.6

The fund’s cancellation was framed by supporters as a necessary step to secure Blanche’s confirmation and avoid further delays.2,5 Critics argued the fund’s structure raised questions about the Department of Justice’s independence and potential misuse of federal resources.3,4 The Senate Judiciary Committee’s approval sends Blanche’s nomination to the full Senate, where a final vote is expected this week.8,9,13

Blanche previously served as a federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C., and was involved in cases related to the January 6 Capitol riot.5,10

“I feel like my presence isn’t going to be welcome. I don’t want to get chased around. I don’t want to get harassed.”
Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General1

Donde los medios no están de acuerdo

  • Democrats and legal experts described the fund cancellation deal as weak and reversible, while supporters framed it as a necessary compromise to advance Blanche’s nomination.3,4,2,5

Por qué importa

  • The US attorney general is the chief law enforcement officer of the federal government and head of the Department of Justice, overseeing federal prosecutions and law enforcement agencies.7,8,12

  • The Senate Judiciary Committee is a 22-member panel responsible for reviewing presidential nominees to the Department of Justice, including the attorney general.7,11,12

  • The $1.8 billion fund was proposed under the DOJ’s discretionary budget and would have been used for settlements and payments without congressional approval.2,5

  • The Dobbs decision refers to the 2022 Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, ending federal protections for abortion rights and returning regulation to states.14

Este texto se escribió a partir de los 14 informes enumerados abajo, publicados por 12 medios independientes, y se cotejó con ellos línea por línea. No es una copia de ninguno. ¿Ves un error? Avísanos.

Well corroborated12 outlets
Left5Center5Right2

14 reports from 12 outlets. The numbers in the article point here.

Left-leaning7
Center5
Right-leaning2

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